Vermont Producers and Value-Chain Facilitators Receive $50K to Support Local Food Market Development

March 28, 2018

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) is pleased to announce five Local Food Market Development (LFMD) Grants, totaling $50,000, awarded to support projects that will assist Vermont farmers, businesses, and food system service providers in reaching new markets with an institutional or other wholesale focus in Vermont.

This year the agency has partnered with the High Meadows Fund who contributed an additional $20,000 to augment the $30,000 from the Vermont Legislature for this grant initiative. "The strong program similarities between the VAAFM's Local Food Market Development Grant Program and the priorities of philanthropic partners' agricultural initiatives, provides an opportunity to grow economic success for Vermont farm and food businesses, while providing quality food to more Vermont markets," says Secretary Anson Tebbetts. "We are proud to establish this partnership with the High Meadows Fund to develop new opportunities for Vermont producers."

Projects were selected by an independent review committee out of 15 applications, totaling requests of nearly $140,000. FY18 grantees include:

All five grantees will receive $10,000 for projects that will improve access to institutional and wholesale market expansion by improving quality, efficiency, and food safety with the goal of mitigating the financial risks associated with scaling up to meet new market demands.